Stories from Tuesday, January 1, 2002

Trojans condemn Ducks' latest USC-area calling card(01/01/02)LOS ANGELES --The sight of three 40-foot Ducks in downtown Los Angeles has ruffled the feathers of some territorial Trojans. In another sign that the power in Pacific 10 football now resides in the Pacific Northwest, Oregon has erected a billboard depicting Duck receivers Keenan Howry, Jason Willis and Samie Parker on the north side of the 12-story Hotel Figueroa, a short jog from USC...

Southeast aims to return favor vs. W. Illinois(01/01/02)Back on Dec. 1, Western Illinois came to the Show Me Center and spanked Southeast Missouri State University 71-58. The Indians would like nothing better than to return the favor tonight when the non-conference squads square off in a rematch on the Leathernecks' home court in Macomb, Ill...

Turf toe leaves iron man streak in jeopardy(01/01/02)ST. LOUIS -- Aeneas Williams' iron man streak is in serious jeopardy. The Rams' All-Pro cornerback has battled turf toe since late in training camp, and the injury isn't getting any better. So his run of 127 consecutive starts and 180 consecutive games could end on Sunday at San Francisco...

Mayfair moves into tie at Michelob Championship(01/01/02)WILLIAMSBURG, Va. -- Billy Mayfair shot a bogey-free, 8-under 63 Friday and grabbed a share of the second-round lead in the Michelob Championship with David Duval. Duval shot a 69 and was at 9-under 133. First-round co-leader Hidemichi Tanaka was one shot back after a 70...

Leaf skips camp, tells new team that he's retired(01/01/02)SEATTLE, Wash. -- Ryan Leaf, the second overall pick in the 1998 draft, has decided to end a career marred by clashes with fans, teammates and team executives and marked by ineptitude on the field. Leaf, who signed with Seattle in the offseason, didn't show up in camp on Thursday with the rest of the team's quarterbacks. Team spokesman Dave Pearson said he had told the Seahawks he was "retired."...

S. Carolina wins on FG at buzzer(01/01/02)The Associated Press TAMPA, Fla. -- Daniel Weaver's 42-yard field goal with no time left barely cleared the crossbar, saving No. 14 South Carolina a huge embarrassment in a 31-28 victory over No. 22 Ohio State in the Outback Bowl on Tuesday. The Gamecocks (9-3) blew a 28-0 lead. ...